as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dogfight
In what should be another dogfight that isn't decided until the final minutes, give me the Knicks to grind out a road win that moves them one step closer to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
There are other distinctions between the recurring Greek-Turkish mock dogfights and any potential Israeli-Turkish ones.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
About 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, and the two countries also engaged in one of the largest aerial dogfights since World War II involving 125 fighter jets on Thursday.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
There are other distinctions between the recurring Greek-Turkish mock dogfights and any potential Israeli-Turkish ones.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
About 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, and the two countries also engaged in one of the largest aerial dogfights since World War II involving 125 fighter jets on Thursday.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
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McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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The rivalry between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr has spilled into a war of words in recent years, roughly dating back to when the former claimed to have been under the weather during the 2023 world championships.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
23 June 2025
Noun
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While the legal battle is ongoing, the judge's ruling is an early win for the states and a setback for the Trump administration.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
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That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Here, Koulibaly chips the ball towards Lodi… … and Alexander-Arnold is in position to contest the aerial duel.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Pitchers Danny Wallace and Ryan Papa combined to allow just one run on six hits in the duel with Wunsch.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Compete for Causes, the local group that pairs fitness and fundraising with its charity fitness competitions, recently made a $32,200 contribution to Father Joe’s Villages.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Gregg Newton | Afp | Getty Images Amazon’s second batch of Kuiper internet satellites reached low Earth orbit on Monday, adding to its plans for a massive constellation and ramping up competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Across the border from Kursk, in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, Ukrainian soldiers who battled those soldiers described how the North Koreans went from suffering massive losses to learning electronic warfare.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
16 June 2025
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Radical, often foreign jihadists still make up a significant portion of the armed forces, ISIS is resurgent, former Assad loyalists remain dissatisfied, the economy is nonexistent from 13 years of warfare, and countless sectarian divisions threaten to rupture at any moment.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Consumers are putting values first — even at a time of economic struggle.—
Alexandra Pastore,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
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Burroughs allegedly then took off on foot and was apprehended following a brief foot chase and a struggle, Allard said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2025
Noun
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After Hamas conducted a surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, the group was backed in the ensuing war with Israel by Iran and its Axis of Resistance coalition of non-state actors in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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Among the first targets was Iran’s main center for uranium enrichment, which is in what city? 3 of 11 President Trump is considering supporting Israel in the war and deploying a 30,000-pound bomb, called a Massive Ordnance Penetrator, to attack an Iranian nuclear site buried deep in a mountain.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The escalating rhetoric signals the deepening rift between Tehran and Washington, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation that could draw in U.S. forces and further destabilize the Middle East.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
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In the No Kings protests, many of the episodes of confrontation between journalists and law enforcement have played out in real time on cable television or social media.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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